The Fresno band battles toxic diet culture to inject body positivity and hope into the pit.
“Feed us! Feed us!” a crowd chants in front of the stage as Fatty Cakes and the Puff Pastries prepares to kick off its set on a recent night at the Echo. Before the band plays a note, first thing’s first — the fans must feast.
Feeding pizza to fans from the stage before opening a show for Alice Bag, Kathleen Hanna and Terri Gender Bender might sound like a feminist punk fantasy, but for Fatty Cakes and the Puff Pastries it’s one slice in a long history of living the DIY dream. On any given day you might find them going to gigs in Central Valley apple orchards or chasing off creeps in parking lots with a Hello Kitty baseball bat — all part of what it means to be self-proclaimed freaks from Fresno.
Since its inception, the band has made a name for itself, sharing stages with acts like Shannon and the Clams, Virgie Tovar, Fea and Dynasty Handbag. Punk icon Alice Bag took a shine to the band, producing the group’s self-titled debut LP released in 2018 on Emotional Response Records, complete with album art by surrealist painter Kezia Harrell a.k.a. @SugaryGarbage.
Though the band considers L.A. a primary stomping ground, Fresno will always be its true home — even if it isn’t always easy. “It’s hard to explain,” Crow says. “Being Chukchansi, one of the many tribes that are indigenous to the Central Valley, my love and pride for this city is generational and ancestral.” For her, Fresno life is a combination of deep roots, messy house parties, best friends and perseverance.